Government-owned mining giant Coal India Limited confirmed it has enough coal stocks to fulfill the peak summer demand from the nation’s thermal power plants. The company disclosed that the current coal stock buffer stands at approximately 168 million tonnes (MT), inclusive of inventories at power plants, CIL mine heads, transit points, and coal in transit via railway networks. Stocks at thermal plants using domestic coal were at 47.6 MT as of May 23, with CIL mine head inventory at 113.5 MT as of May 24, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
Around 3 MT of coal is situated at transit points like goods sheds, ports, and private washeries, while nearly 4 MT is in transit through railway rakes. Coal India Limited emphasized that the decrease in coal stocks at power plants during peak summer months is a regular annual phenomenon and should not be viewed as a supply-side crisis. The company, responsible for meeting over 80% of India’s coal demand, mentioned that approximately 50 MT of in-situ mine coal is readily available for quick extraction and dispatch if demand escalates further.
As of May 20, 21 thermal power plants were classified as critical, with 11 being domestic coal-based units, seven of which source coal from CIL. The company stated it has been in constant communication with power producers to ensure advanced inventory buildup, especially for plants in challenging logistical locations. A senior official highlighted that coal stocks are also being accumulated at coal mining companies’ pitheads as a proactive measure to address any emergencies amid disruptions in oil and gas supplies due to the Iran conflict.
The Ministry of Coal is actively promoting a performance-driven ecosystem through consistent policy support, robust monitoring systems, and proactive engagement with stakeholders. These collective endeavors aim to ensure reliable coal availability, sustain uninterrupted operations in critical sectors, and effectively cater to the nation’s increasing energy needs.
